The active practice of music can be beneficial for older people with mild cognitive impairment or even dementia.
- The practice of music has positive effects on the cognitive development of seniors suffering from dementia.
- Being part of a choir or participating in workshops around instruments also improves their well-being.
Music has already been the subject of many scientific studies, which have shown that it stimulates creativity, improves sleep, or promotes relaxation by reducing stress. Not only beneficial to the cognitive development of toddlers, listening to music could also help the elderly, especially those with cognitive disorders.
This is shown by a meta-analysis of nine studies, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. According to its authors, playing music had a positive effect on the cognitive functioning of seniors with mild dementia. It also improved their mood and quality of life.
Cognitive stimulation that improves mood and quality of life
A total of 21 studies involving 1472 participants were analyzed to determine potential effect sizes and intervention activities. Of these 21 studies, nine recruiting a total of 495 participants were used to investigate the effects of music on cognitive functioning.
The results clearly showed a positive effect of the practice of music on the cognitive functioning of elderly people with cognitive decline or dementia. According to the authors, people with cognitive impairment could benefit from future musical interventions defined by rigorous intervention protocols that would isolate specific activities, such as a choir or a drumming workshop. In addition, these activities had a real impact on the emotional well-being of the participants by improving their quality of life and their mood. “We are thrilled to see these results because participating in music, such as singing in a choir or playing in a drum circle, is a safe and stimulating activity that our research shows can support cognition. at a critical time for older adults facing cognitive decline”says Jennie L. Dorris, of the University of Pittsburgh, who led the study.
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